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Monday, October 24, 2011

Pastor Beatle. . . Something To Think About. . . .

A few weeks ago I was chatting with my friend Steve Rabey when he made a very bold statement that I'm not sure I bought, but that I've been thinking about ever since. I have to be careful what I say. After all, Steve is the editor over at Youthworker Journal and I have to pass my regular culture column through him every two months.

So Steve tells me that he's just finished writing a piece on George Harrison. Then, he tells me that he believes that no other musician has addressed themes of spirituality with greater consistency and intent over the last fifty years than George Harrison. I wasn't able to disagree on the spot, although a flood of names started passing through my brain, each of them possible challengers to Steve's theory. I've been pondering the claim since then. To be honest, I wanted to agree. After all, nobody has influenced the shape of music since 1960 like the Beatles. . . collectively and individually. If you weren't around when the Beatles first showed up, you have no idea. Just ask your parents. Honestly, there's been nothing like them since. In a world bursting with musical choices, it's nice to be able to sit back and say "I remember," while hearing the influence of the Fab Four in just about everyone and everything musical these days. The 1960s were an amazing time in pop culture history.

After reading Steve's article - "How George Harrison Changed the Way We Believe" - I have to admit that Steve's bold statement was probably justified. In fact, Steve writes, "Harrison was the most explicitly and consistently theological rock star of the last half-century." Please give the article a read. Three things that Steve wrote really jumped out at me. . .

First, there was Harrison's interest in Eastern Spirituality and Hinduism opened the curtain for all of us to a world that we really didn't know existed. We were ushered into that world by Ravi Shankar and his Sitar. I remember how weird and abrupt it all seemed and sounded. . . like an old friend (The Beatles) had just gone through a complete makeover. Steve tells us that Harrison knew that drugs weren't enough to answer his yearnings. Thus, his journey to the east. Harrison was pop culture's "exhibit A" in the evidence locker that pointed to the Apostle Paul's universal "groans" of Romans 8. We were, indeed, made for God.

Second, there was Harrison's recognition of the disjointed hypocrisy in the American church. Sure, Harrison was looking for something more than his experience of the Catholicism of his youth. But his assessment holds true today. When he was in Bombay he said that "the difference over here is that their religion is every second and every minute of their lives." We don't only yearn for God. The relationship we yearn for with God is a fully integrated relationship that touches every nook and cranny of life. Sadly, Harrison might even be more accurate in his comparison today.

Finally, Steve's article reminded me of the sad day when I heard that the Beatles had broken up. It was early in the morning and I was standing at the bus stop waiting for the school bus to pick me up for another monotonous day at Huntingdon Junior High School. 8th grade to be exact. I can still remember Steve King walking quickly to our stop from his house. He was about 100 feet away from us when he asked us, "Did you guys hear about the Beatles?" Then, he broke the news. It was appropriate that this talented young drummer in a band fronted by his older brother was the one to break the news. After all, these two guys were the first in our neighborhood to emulate the Beatles in their haircuts and dress. The news he broke broke us. Turns out, there was nothing at all monotonous about that day. Steve Rabey's article mentions the last song the band ever recorded: "I Me Mine," a critique of narcissism written by Harrison that continues to describe a growing condition in our culture today, over forty years later.

So. . . thanks to Steve Rabey for his statement, his article, and for allowing George Harrison to say things that challenge me in my Christian faith once again.

4 comments:

Rafael Ortega, aka Ralph
said...

When I was in the 8th grade the Beatles were still together. I vividly remember the girl sitting next to me, writing in her black and white composite notebook, over and over – “ I Love Paul.” When one page got filled she just turned the page and filled up the next one. Yes the Beatles were different.

“Thus, his journey to the east. Harrison was pop culture's "exhibit A" in the evidence locker that pointed to the Apostle Paul's universal "groans" of Romans 8. We were, indeed, made for God.”

Using your logic Walt, then spirituality seeking journeys NOT taken “to the east” by 99% of rock stars, are "exhibit B" in the evidence locker, that point to NO universal “groans”. Indeed then, we were not made for God.

The voluminous amount of evidence in “exhibit B” undoubtedly would produce a unanimous verdict that we were not made for God.

It’s not that I’m a stickler Walt, I just hate seeing false inductive reasoning used in Christian beliefs. It doesn’t reflect well on us.

Ralph. . . I rarely respond to comments like yours, but in this case I have no idea how you came to the conclusion you did based on the blog I wrote. I'm scratching my head. Have you not read other things we've been doing for over 20 years at CPYU? My blog was written in response to Steve Rabey's comment and my evaluation of it. Please. . . conclusion jumping is very dangerous and I'm not sure your use of logic is a good one. As we've been saying for years, the groanings for redemption are always evidenced in some way. In Harrison's case, it was in his journey to the east the reflection of such in his music. I'm not being harsh with you. . . just stumped.

You cleared it up in your response, “In Harrison’s case…” I wrongly compared your singular example of Harrison’s “groans” for redemption as being a necessary component supporting, “We were made for Him”, with the lack of redemptive groans by other rock stars as supporting “We were not made for Him”. No can do upon reading your intention in this specific case.

Don’t ever worry about coming on too “harsh” Walt. Not only do you not have a mean bone in your body, you’re one of a select few who do not have even a harsh bone in your body. Thanks for being that way.

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Who I am. . .

Walt Mueller. . . a guy who was made, messed up, and mercifully made over by His grace. . . struggling to live life to His glory in the now but not yet Kingdom of God. . . longing to enter into that glorious time when what originally was will be fully restored.

How I spend my days. . .

after several years doing youth ministry, I've spent the last 24 years studying, writing, and speaking about youth culture with a great group of folks at the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding. I've been married to my wife Lisa for over 30 years and we've been blessed with four children. . . and twin grandchildren.